System and method for protecting a surface from uv radiation

ABSTRACT

A system for and method of protecting a polymer from UV degradation includes impinging ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation from an artificial UV source onto an interior object, the interior object comprising: i) a polymer substrate; and ii) a continuous inorganic film on the polymer substrate. The continuous inorganic film protects the polymer substrate from the ultraviolet radiation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/007,872 filed on Jun. 13, 2018, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for protectingan object comprising a polymer from UV degradation.

BACKGROUND

UV radiation from the sun is well known for causing degradation to manymaterials, including objects made from polymers. To protect suchobjects, UV protectants are often employed. Most conventional UVprotectants are designed to protect from terrestrial UV radiation,between about 275 nm and about 400 nm. Current approaches to UVprotection include either incorporating UV protectants into the surfaceto be protected, or applying a polymer coating with UV protectants orabsorbers on top of the surface.

Artificial UV radiation is sometimes used for disinfecting purposes.However, UV radiation for disinfecting applications is most effective atless than or equal to 280 nm, which corresponds to the ultraviolet Cspectrum (“UVC”). As discussed in more detail below, conventional UVprotectant technology may not be effective for protecting against UVCradiation.

For conventional systems in which UV absorbers are incorporated intoplastic or polymer surfaces, the absorbers are either: 1) organic UVabsorbing molecules combined with hindered amines, 2) zinc oxide ortitanium dioxide nanoparticles used in sunscreen lotions or in a polymerfilm that is marketed as ceramic window tint for automobiles, or 3)inorganic pigments that absorb UV radiation. However, this UV protectionlayer does not contain a continuous UV protectant layer. Rather,absorbers, nanoparticles, and pigments used in these systems aredesigned to screen out lower intensity solar based UV radiation and notthe high intensity UV radiation used for sanitization or disinfection.Thus, it is not known if these types of organic UV absorbers willfunction at <275 nm. Furthermore, if any of the higher intensity UVCradiation penetrates through the absorbers or is absorbed bypolymer/plastic between absorber molecules, nanoparticles or pigments,the underlying plastic or polymer will be damaged. Lastly, increasingthe amount of the protectants in the polymer or plastic is not alwaysfeasible because 1) organic molecules will phase separate above 1-2 wt %and change the surface appearance, 2) nanoparticles will agglomerateabove 20-30 wt % and change the surface's appearance due to lightscattering, and 3) pigments will change the perceived polymer color asthe pigment level is increased, which is often not desirable. Highlevels of fillers will also make the polymer very brittle and crack.

In other conventional UV protection systems, a transparent UV protectionfilm comprising UV absorbing molecules or particles in a polymer matrixmaterial may be applied over a surface. This film/coating protects thesurface from UV damage by absorbing all of the UV radiation using, forexample, organic UV absorbing molecules combined with hindered amines orzinc oxide or titanium oxide nanoparticles described above. However,this approach only works if the polymer matrix material is UVtransparent and does not absorb UV radiation and photodarken.Unfortunately, many polymers absorb UV radiation in the UVC region andthus will photodarken from exposure if exposed to UVC radiation.

In fields that are generally unrelated to UV protection, transparent,continuous inorganic coatings are applied for corrosion protection andwear resistance on tools, home appliances (faucets, appliance fronts,handles), surgical tools, and moving mechanical parts (gears, cylinderheads). For example, it is known to physically vapor deposit a nitridelayer, such as a TiN film, on metal faucets to prevent corrosion andwater spots. However, these coatings are not generally known for UVprotection of polymer materials. Furthermore, TiN is not transparent tovisible light.

Thus, novel films for protecting polymer containing objects from UVradiation used in sanitization, which has wavelengths of less than orequal 280 nm, would be considered a step forward in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a method of protecting a polymerfrom UV degradation. The method comprises impinging ultraviolet (“UV”)radiation from an artificial UV source onto an interior object, theinterior object comprising: i) a polymer substrate; and ii) a continuousinorganic film on the polymer substrate. The continuous inorganic filmprotects the polymer substrate from the ultraviolet radiation.

The present disclosure is also directed to a UV radiation disinfectionsystem. The UV radiation disinfection system comprises: an interiorobject comprising: i) a polymer substrate; and ii) a continuousinorganic film on the polymer substrate. The UV radiation disinfectionsystem also comprises an artificial UV source directed so as to impingeultraviolet (“UV”) radiation onto the interior object when theartificial UV source is powered on. The artificial UV source is designedto emit radiation at a UVC wavelength suitable for disinfection. Thecontinuous inorganic film has a property of absorbing UV radiation atthe UVC wavelength.

The present disclosure is also directed to an interior object. Theinterior object comprises a polymer substrate and a continuous inorganicfilm on the polymer substrate. The continuous inorganic film has aproperty of absorbing UV radiation at a UVC wavelength suitable fordisinfection.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method comprising coating acontinuous inorganic film on a polymer substrate. The continuousinorganic film has a property of absorbing UV radiation at a UVCwavelength suitable for disinfection.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the present teachings, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrates aspects of the present teachingsand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe present teachings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a UV radiation disinfection system, according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method comprising impinging ultraviolet (“UV”)radiation, such as UVC radiation employed in a system for disinfecting asurface, from an artificial UV source onto an interior object, accordingto the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method comprises coating a continuous inorganicfilm on a polymer substrate, according to the present disclosure.

It should be noted that some details of the figures have been simplifiedand are drawn to facilitate understanding rather than to maintain strictstructural accuracy, detail, and scale.

DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present teachings, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identicalelements. In the following description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific examples of practicing the presentteachings. The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary.

UVC radiation, which includes wavelengths ranging from 180 nm to 280 nm,has been found to be highly effective for disinfecting surfaces wherebacteria are problematic, such as, for example, lavatory surfaces inaircraft, or other such surfaces, as will be described herein below. Thesurfaces being disinfected often comprise polymers. Applicants havefound that when repeatedly used to disinfect these polymer surfaces, UVCradiation can cause the polymer surface to become discolored andpotentially degrade, or crack. The present disclosure provides asolution to these problems, which includes protecting the polymersurfaces exposed to UVC radiation with a continuous inorganic film. Thecontinuous inorganic film absorbs UVC radiation and thereby reduces orprevents degradation to the underlying polymer substrate. This solutionand other technical effects are described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present disclosure is directed to a UVradiation disinfection system 10. The system comprises an interiorobject 12 comprising a polymer substrate 14. A continuous inorganic film16 is disposed on the polymer substrate 14. An artificial UV source 18is directed so as to impinge ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation 20 onto theinterior object 12 when the artificial UV source 18 is powered on. Theartificial UV source 18 is designed to emit radiation at a UVCwavelength suitable for disinfection, such as wavelengths ranging fromabout 180 nm to about 280 nm. The continuous inorganic film 16 has theproperty of absorbing UV radiation at the UVC wavelength the artificialUV source 18 is designed to emit, thereby protecting the polymersubstrate 14 from the UV radiation.

The interior object 12 can be any object that comprises a polymersubstrate 14 that is likely to be exposed to UV radiation. In animplementation of the present disclosure, the interior object 12 can bepositioned in a structure 21. Structure 21 can be indoors, for example,in a building or a vehicle where UV radiation may be employed fordisinfection purposes, such as a lavatory or food preparation area inany one of an aircraft, a spacecraft, a public or private building, abus, a boat such as a cruise ship, submarine and so forth, a rail car ora recreational vehicle. Examples of interior object 12 can include anyobject that is indoors, such as a wall, counter, sink, handle, faucet,toilet, appliance or floor or any other object comprising a polymersurface for which UV protection is desired. The polymer substrate 14 canbe any portion of the interior object 12 and can make up any percentageof the interior object by weight. For example, the polymer substrate(including any inorganic or organic fillers employed in the polymersubstrate) can comprise 1% to 100% of the interior object by weight, notcounting the weight of the continuous inorganic film 16 or mechanicalreinforcements, such as wire mesh or metal bars, in the polymersubstrate.

The polymer substrate 14 can comprise any suitable polymer that absorbsUVC radiation. For purposes of this application, a polymer is an organicmacromolecule composed of many repeated monomer units, such as more thana 10,000, repeating monomer units, such as 10,000 to 1E+100, or moremonomer units, or 100,000 to 100,000,000 monomer units. The upper limitof the number of monomer units is only limited by the size of thepolymer substrate, and so could potentially be practically limitless.Examples of polymers include epoxies, polyurethanes, polyethylene,polypropylene, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyether ether ketone(PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), thermoplastic olefins (TPO),polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon), polyvinylfluoride (PVF) andsilicones, or any combination thereof. A commercial example of a PVFpolymer is TEDLAR®, which is made by E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany of Wilmington, Del.

If not protected, the polymer substrate 14 absorbs the UVC radiation.The absorption of light is the result of optically exciting a chemicalbond in the polymer. Absorption of UVC radiation can result indiscoloration (referred to herein as photodarkening) and other types ofdegradation, such as cracking. Such degradation to the polymer may occurover time if the polymer absorbs, for example, 1-2% to 100% of theincident UVC radiation, such as 10% to 100%.

To reduce or prevent such degradation, a continuous inorganic film isemployed over the polymer substrate to block the UVC radiation. Thecontinuous inorganic film can be any semiconductor or insulator thatabsorbs UV radiation at the UVC wavelength the artificial UV source 18is designed to emit. If a semiconductor material is employed as thecontinuous inorganic film, the semiconductor has a bandgap that isgreater than 3.1 eV and will absorb light with energy above thatbandgap. The 3.1 eV minimum is chosen so the semiconductor layer isvisibly transparent. The upper limit of the semiconductor bandgap isless than the energy of the UV radiation source, such as less than orequal to 6.9 eV, or about 6.2 eV. Examples of suitable semiconductormaterials can be chosen from Group IV semiconductors, Group II-VIsemiconductors, Group III-V semiconductors, metal phosphidesemiconductors, metal nitride semiconductors, metal sulfidesemiconductors and metal oxide semiconductors that have the desiredbandgap. Specific examples include diamond, lithium niobite, tindioxide, nickel(II) oxide, zinc sulfide, boron arsenide, galliumnitride, silicon carbide, such as 4H—SiC, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide,such as anatase, fluorinated tin oxide, indium tin oxide, and mixturesthereof. In an implementation, the semiconductor materials are chosenfrom silicon carbides, such as 4H—SIC, zinc sulfide and gallium nitride.

Insulating materials employed as the continuous inorganic film can beany electrically conductive material that absorbs UVC radiation,including light at wavelengths in any of the UVC ranges discussedherein. In implementations where the continuous inorganic film is aninsulator, the insulator can be chosen, for example, from diamond-likecarbon, indium oxide, chromium nitride, borosilicate glass, andborosilicate-lime glass. Commercially available glass includes, forexample, Gorilla Glass® and Willow Glass®, which are both made byCorning Inc. of Corning, N.Y., as well as Pyrex® (which is aborosilicate glass). Gorilla Glass® is an Aluminosilicate glasscomprising one or more, such as all four, of silicon dioxide, aluminum,magnesium, and sodium. Willow Glass® is an Alkali-free Borosilicateglass.

The term “continuous” in the phrase “continuous inorganic film”indicates that the film is not made of discrete, inorganic particles,but instead is a sheet of material that covers at least 90%, such as 90%to 100%, of a surface area of the interior object that is exposed to theUV radiation. Inorganic films are employed instead of organic filmsbecause, if used, organic films are likely to photodarken over time.

As is well understood in the art, the UV absorption of a film cangenerally depend on the thickness of the film. The continuous inorganicfilm can have any suitable thickness that provides the desired UVabsorption. Example ranges of suitable thicknesses are from about 10 nmto about 2 mm, or about 30 nm to about 1 mm, or about 50 nm to about 500microns, or about 100 nm to about 200 microns. The continuous inorganicfilm within these ranges of thicknesses can absorb, for example, fromabout 50% to about 100% of the UV radiation, such as about 70% to about100%, about 80% to 100%, or about 90% to about 100% of the UV radiation,where the UV radiation has wavelengths within ranges of from about 180nm to about 280 nm, such as about 200 nm to about 280, or about 200 nmto about 270 nm, or about 200 nm to about 250 nm. Additionally, thecontinuous inorganic film can be transmissive to visible light. Forexample, the continuous inorganic film transmits about 60% or more, suchas about 80% to 100% of radiation in the visible spectrum of 400 nm to800 nm. In an implementation, the continuous inorganic film 16 appearssubstantially clear, or transparent, so that the underlying polymersubstrate 14 can be seen with the human eye when viewed through thecontinuous inorganic film 16. The continuous inorganic film can besmooth, or roughened to reduce gloss, if desired. Techniques formeasuring the amount of UV radiation absorbed by a film are well known.For instance, a standard technique is to measure the transmission with atwo beam UV/VIS/NIR spectrometer. A 100% transmission spectrum with nosample in the spectrometer baseline is first collected. Then the sampleis placed in the sample holder and the amount of transmission iscompared between the beam containing a sample and the beam without thesample. This same technique can be used for measuring the transmissivityof a material for radiation in the visible spectrum.

The continuous inorganic films of the present disclosure can provide oneor more of the following: reduction or prevention of UV damage to anunderlying polymer layer compared to the same underlying polymer layerexposed to the same UV radiation without the continuous inorganic film;reduction or prevention of discoloration of underlying polymer layersdue to UV damage compared to the same underlying polymer layer exposedto the same UV radiation without the continuous inorganic film; andimproved scratch resistance compared to the same underlying polymerlayer without the continuous inorganic film.

In an implementation of the present disclosure, the interior object canfurther comprise an optional adhesion layer 15 between the polymersubstrate 14 and the continuous inorganic film 16. Examples includeadhesion layers comprising a material chosen from chromium, titanium, ora mixture thereof. The thickness of the adhesion layer 15 can be anysuitable thickness, such as, for example, from 1 nm to 10 nm. Exampletechniques for making such adhesion layers include sputtering or otherdeposition techniques that are well known in the art.

In an implementation of the present disclosure, the interior objectfurther comprises an optional barrier layer 22 disposed over thecontinuous inorganic film. The barrier layer 22 comprises any suitablematerial that is impervious to water or other possible contaminants.Examples of suitable materials include silicon oxide glass, aluminumnitride, boron nitride, and any combination thereof. Any other inorganicmaterials having a band gap that is greater than the energy of incidentUV radiation can be employed. For example, the band gap can be greaterthan 3.1 eV, such as ranging from 3.1 eV to about 6.1 eV, or about 3.3eV to about 5.9 eV. While barrier layer 22 can be employed over anycontinuous inorganic films described above, it may be particularlyuseful for protecting continuous inorganic films that potentially absorbwater, such as any of the semiconductor materials described above.

The artificial UV source 18 emits radiation having a wavelength rangingfrom about 180 nm to about 280 nm. For example, the artificial UV sourceemits radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 200 nm to about280 nm, or about 200 nm to about 250 nm, or about 200 nm to about 230nm. In an example, the UV source only emits radiation ranging from about180 nm to about 280 nm. In an example, the UVC radiation ismonochromatic or substantially monochromatic, where substantiallymonochromatic is defined as radiation where at least 85% of theradiation is at a specified wavelength (e.g., 222 nm for a KrCl excimerbulb). Monochromatic and substantially monochromatic UV sources are wellknown in the art, and include, for example, LEDs that emit UV radiation,Excimer bulbs and some Hg low pressure bulbs. The range of wavelengthsof from about 180 nm to about 280 nm can provide certain benefits. Forexample, wavelengths of 280 nm and below are known for reducing oreliminated microbes. For instance, wavelengths of about 260 to about 280nm are known to damage microbe's DNA, while wavelengths of less than 240nm are known to damage proteins in microorganisms. Further, ozone, whichis generally considered undesirable, is made by sources with energy ofless than 200 nm, so that sources of 200 nm and above may be desirablein some circumstances. Wavelengths in the range of about 200 nm to about230 nm may have additional benefits. For instance, a study at ColumbiaUniversity has shown that wavelengths in this range (e.g., at 207 nm and222 nm) have less effect on human cells than 254 nm Hg sources.

The radiant intensity of the UV radiation at the surface on which theradiation impinges can be any suitable intensity that can provide thedesired disinfection. For example, the radiant intensity can range fromabout 0.1 to 30 milliwatts/cm², such as 0.5 to about 20 milliwatts/cm²,such as about 1 to about 10 milliwatts/cm², such as about 2 to about 5milliwatts/cm². Light at the above listed wavelengths and intensitiescan be useful for eliminating or reducing microbes, such as bacteria, onsurfaces.

The artificial UV source 18 can be any known or later developed UVsource that emits UVC radiation at the desired wavelengths. Examples ofknown suitable light sources include UVC LEDs and Mercury fluorescentbulbs (also referred to as Hg vapor lamps). LEDs have wavelengths as lowas about 230 nm and as high as about 280 nm. Mercury fluorescent bulbsemit radiation at wavelengths of about 254 nm. Still other UVC sourcesand their associated wavelengths include Krypton Iodide (KrI) excimerlamps (190 nm), Argon Fluoride (ArF) excimer lamps (193 nm), KryptonBromide (KrBr) excimer lamps (207 nm), Krypton Bromide (KrCl) excimerlamps (222 nm), Krypton Fluoride (KrF) excimer lamps (248 nm), XenonIodide (XeI) excimer lamps (253 nm), Chloride (Cl2) excimer lamps (259nm) and Xenon Bromide (XeBr) excimer lamps (282 nm). The same technicaleffects discussed above that are associated with the radiationwavelengths of about 180 nm to about 280 nm are also associated withthese UVC radiation sources, all of which emit radiation in this rangeof wavelengths. For instance, the KrCl excimer lamps, which emit atabout 222 nm, and the KrBr excimer lamps, which emit at 207 nm, have thetechnical effect of causing less damage to human cells than cancercausing 254 nm Hg sources, as discussed above, as well as the benefitsof eliminating or reducing microbes without causing substantial amountsof ozone (e.g., less than 0.1 ppm by mole ozone as set forth in theNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standards).

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of making thecontinuous inorganic film. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the methodcomprises coating a continuous inorganic film on a polymer substrate.Any of the continuous inorganic films described herein can be coatedusing any suitable coating method that is known or hereinafterdeveloped. Examples of suitable coating methods include gas or liquidcoating techniques, such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapordeposition, sputtering, spray pyrolysis, plasma coating, dip coating andlaminating. The continuous inorganic film can be formed on the polymersubstrate, or alternatively, the continuous inorganic film can beseparately formed and then attached to the polymer substrate, such as bypre-forming a glass layer (e.g., borosilicate glass or any of the otherglass materials described as being suitable herein) and then laminatingthe pre-formed glass layer to the polymer substrate. The resultinginorganic film has the property of absorbing UV radiation at a UVCwavelength suitable for disinfection, such as at any of the wavelengthsdescribed herein.

The methods of the present disclosure can be for applying the continuousinorganic film to the polymer substrate for the first time.Alternatively, the method of making the inorganic film can be a processwhere the coating replenishes a continuous inorganic film alreadypresent on the polymer substrate that has at least partially worn off orotherwise lost its effectiveness for UV protection. For example, thecoating to replenish the continuous inorganic film can occur after thepolymer substrate is installed in a vehicle, such as any of the vehiclesdescribed herein.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of protecting apolymer from UV degradation. As shown in FIG. 2, the method comprisesimpinging ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation, such as UVC radiation employedin a system for disinfecting a surface, from an artificial UV sourceonto an interior object. The interior object comprises a continuousinorganic film disposed on a polymer substrate, where the continuousinorganic film acts to protect the polymer substrate from theultraviolet radiation. The interior object can be any of the interiorobjects described herein. The continuous inorganic film can be any ofthe continuous inorganic films described herein.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed hereinare to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumedtherein.

While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one ormore implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made tothe illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature of thepresent teachings may have been disclosed with respect to only one ofseveral implementations, such feature may be combined with one or moreother features of the other implementations as may be desired andadvantageous for any given or particular function. Furthermore, to theextent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,”or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and theclaims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.” Further, in the discussion and claims herein, theterm “about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, aslong as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the processor structure to the intended purpose described herein. Finally,“exemplary” indicates the description is used as an example, rather thanimplying that it is an ideal.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined intomany other different systems or applications. Various presentlyunforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, orimprovements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in theart which are also intended to be encompasses by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A UV radiation disinfection system, comprising:an interior object comprising: i) a polymer substrate; and ii) acontinuous inorganic film on the polymer substrate; and an artificial UVsource directed so as to impinge ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation onto theinterior object when the artificial UV source is powered on, theartificial UV source being designed to emit radiation at a UVCwavelength suitable for disinfection, wherein the continuous inorganicfilm has a property of absorbing UV radiation at the UVC wavelength. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the artificial UV source emits radiationhaving a wavelength ranging from about 180 nm to about 280 nm.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the artificial UV source is a UVC LED, an Hgvapor lamp, or an excimer lamp.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theinterior object is indoors and is a wall, counter, sink, handle, faucet,toilet, appliance or floor.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thepolymer substrate comprises a polymer chosen from epoxies,polyurethanes, polyethylene, polypropylene, Polyethylene terephthalate(PET), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK),Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC),thermoplastic olefins (TPO), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylfluoride(PVF), and silicones, or any combination thereof.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the continuous inorganic film is a semiconductor having abandgap that is greater than 3.1 eV and less than or equal to 6.9 eV. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein the semiconductor comprises a materialthat is not zinc oxide.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein thesemiconductor comprises a material chosen from diamond, lithium niobite,tin dioxide, nickel(II) oxide, zinc sulfide, boron arsenide, galliumnitride, silicon carbide, 4H-SiC, titanium dioxide, anatase, fluorinatedtin oxide, indium tin oxide and mixtures thereof.
 9. The system of claim1, wherein the continuous inorganic film is an insulator.
 10. The systemof claim 9, wherein the insulator is chosen from diamond-like carbon,indium oxide, chromium nitride, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicateglass and borosilicate-lime glass.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinthe interior object further comprises a barrier layer over thecontinuous inorganic film.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein theinterior object is positioned in any one of an aircraft, a spacecraft, abus, a recreational vehicle, a boat, a rail car and a building.
 13. Aninterior object comprising: a polymer substrate; and a continuousinorganic film on the polymer substrate, the continuous inorganic filmhaving a property of absorbing UV radiation at a UVC wavelength suitablefor disinfection.
 14. The interior object of claim 13, wherein theinterior object is indoors and is a wall, counter, sink, handle, faucet,toilet, appliance or floor.
 15. The interior object of claim 13, whereinthe polymer substrate comprises a polymer chosen from epoxies,polyurethanes, polyethylene, polypropylene, Polyethylene terephthalate(PET), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK),Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC),thermoplastic olefins (TPO), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylfluoride(PVF) and silicones, or any combination thereof.
 16. The interior objectof claim 13, wherein the continuous inorganic film is a semiconductorhaving a bandgap that is greater than 3.1 eV and less than or equal to6.9 eV.
 17. The interior object of claim 16, wherein the semiconductorcomprises a material chosen from diamond, lithium niobite, tin dioxide,nickel(II) oxide, zinc sulfide, boron arsenide, gallium nitride, siliconcarbide, 4H-SiC, titanium dioxide, anatase, fluorinated tin oxide,indium tin oxide and mixtures thereof.
 18. The interior object of claim13, wherein the continuous inorganic film is an insulator.
 19. Theinterior object of claim 18, wherein the insulator is chosen fromdiamond-like carbon, indium oxide, chromium nitride, aluminosilicateglass, borosilicate glass and borosilicate-lime glass.
 20. The interiorobject of claim 13, wherein the interior object further comprises abarrier layer over the continuous inorganic film.